The Last Roses

Fall seems to be well and truly here now, in our part of North Carolina.  We definitely had an Indian Summer this year, because after a cold snap around the middle of October, we then went back to temps in the 70's later in the month.

Our David Austin roses have been continuously putting out a few blooms all through September and October.  We've had this Gertrude Jekyll rose for three years, and this is the first year it has bloomed  into autumn.  In addition, there were buds, promising more blooms to come (as long as they didn't get caught by an early freeze).  You can see previous posts on our David Austin roses Here and Here.

Well it's been cold and windy here this week, folks, and yesterday I was amazed to see two beautiful blooms still on the stalk, along with several unopened and partially-opened buds. The temperatures have been dipping into the 30's at night, but apparently they've stayed just above freezing, so these flowers were still healthy and intact, rather than brown and drooping.  And best of all, they still have their wonderful fragrance.

Rather than let these beauties get zapped by a hard freeze, I cut two flowers yesterday and decided to cut two buds as well -- to add interest to the small bouquet and to see if they might open in a few days.  I put them in our living room, which is more formal than the den and where the pink looks much prettier.

They smell heavenly.

I have to thank my sweet husband for taking theses photos; he does a MUCH better job with these kind of closeups than I do.

Is it cold yet where you are?  Do you have any last flowers still blooming in your yard?

Thanks to all of you who read my blog and who so kindly visit and leave comments.  They are much appreciated.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Denise

I'm joining:

Home Sweet Home Party at The Charm of Home

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

Seasonal Sundays hosted by The Tablescaper